CLASSICAL | Arvel Bird with the RCO

The Rochester Chamber Orchestra gets its season off to an unusual start with a popular guest artist making his third return visit. The "Celtic Indian" Arvel Bird is a classically trained violinist whose music-making is the definition of diversity. Reflecting his Celtic and American Indian ancestry, Bird — who performs his own compositions on violin, fiddle, Native flutes and Irish whistles — draws on every North American musical style imaginable, from traditional tunes to rock. He'll play a set of Native American numbers like "Raven Warrior" and "Path Made of Rainbows," followed by a set of Celtic tunes, including "Farewell to Ireland" and "Distant Shore." Joining Bird and the RCO, under conductor Gerard Floriano, will be percussionist Jillian Pritchard, the Bach Children's Chorus of Nazareth College, and the Genesee Valley Children's Choir.